Astana Qazaqstan's license holder under judicial investigation in Luxembourg

LAGOS PORTUGAL FEBRUARY 16 Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski of United States and Team Astana Qazaqstan injurys after crossing the line the 48th Volta Ao Algarve 2021 Stage 1 a 1991km at stage from Portimo to Lagos VAlgarve2022 on February 16 2022 in Lagos Portugal Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Astana Qazaqstan (Image credit: Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Astana Qazaqstan's troubles are continuing after news emerged that the public prosecutor's office in Luxembourg has opened a judicial investigation into the Luxembourg-based Abacanto SA, the paying agent and license holder behind the WorldTour team.

Last year saw the team fire and then bring back team boss Alexandre Vinokourov amid a power struggle with co-sponsor Premier Tech, while 2022 started with reports of the team failing to pay wages for January and February on time. The news is the latest revelation in what has been a turbulent time for the team.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.